Looming changes forecast for Tasman District Council's 10 Year Plan

 Changes looming for Tasman District Council's 10 Year Plan

 

5 May, 2024

Tasman District Council’s Chief Financial Officer Mike Drummond has advised the Council of recent information that may have an impact on the decision-making within the Council's 2024-2034 Long Term Plan.

"We are advising ratepayers, and especially those who have made submissions on its Long-Term Plan/Tasman’s 10-Year Plan, that due to circumstances largely outside of its control the proposed rates revenue increase of 9.6% may increase by between 2 and 3 percent," Drummond said.

This will a create a new starting point for deliberations by Councillors later in the month.

"While still below the national average of proposed rate revenue increases, we considered it was important to inform residents as soon as we were made aware of the increased cost pressures and the possible impact on rates.

"We feel it is particularly important to make this information known before the submission hearings start on 8 May."

These cost pressures include:

• Increased costs of funding water services maintenance.
• Increased costs associated with the Waimea Community Dam.
• Downturn in forecasted revenue from building consent activity.
• Higher costs for water supply maintenance.   
• Increased insurance costs.
• A materially higher 2023/24 year end deficit particularly in building control and transport spending, due to storm costs

While no decisions have been made by Council, these additional cost pressures may have an impact on the final rates revenue increase depending on the decisions the Council makes in its final deliberations following the hearings that begin on 8 May.

While the consultation period has closed, those who are already making their submissions at the hearings scheduled to start 8 May, may like to amend their submissions in light of the new information.

"This latest information provides a new starting point for the Councillors deliberations and should not be seen as the final resting point for the rates revenue increase", concluded Drummond.

 

Further information is available at:  www.shape.tasman.govt.nz/tasmans-10-year-plan

Tasman District Council, Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.